History

The Miss Rodeo Montana Pageant is entering its
sixth decade, having begun during the 1950s. Early records are
sketchy at best, and work is underway to piece together the
history. The earliest Miss Rodeo Montana that we know of was
Nona Brown in 1955-56. She was followed by Penny Carson and
Toady Yeckel. Judy Morstein Martz - Montana's first lady
governor - was Miss Rodeo Montana in
1961-62.

During the late 60s, the pageant was held in
Helena. The next home of the pageant was Dillon. The Dillon
Jaycees hosted the pageant for many years and generously
supported Miss Rodeo Montana. In 1997 the pageant moved to Great
Falls, where it is now held in conjunction with the Montana
Circuit Finals Rodeo in January.

Miss Rodeo Montana serves as Montana's "First
Lady of Rodeo". She attends Montana's professional rodeos,
appears in parades and at many community events throughout the
state, gives countless speeches to clubs and organizations,
numerous radio and television interviews, and coordinates kiddie
rodeos. She will also travel to some of the larger rodeos in the
U.S. and Canada, representing Montana and promoting our own
rodeos. To become Miss Rodeo Montana it takes a young lady with
high moral and ethical character, an accomplished speaker and
public relations specialist. She must understand rodeo in its
entirety and be able to explain it in detail to anyone she
meets, always portraying good sportsmanship and careful, humane
treatment of animals. The experiences she'll have and the
contacts she'll make through the year will provide numerous
opportunities for her future.

At the end of her year of reign, Miss Rodeo
Montana travels to Las Vegas, Nevada, to compete for the title
of Miss Rodeo America during a rigorous week-long competition
against other state title-holders. Montana hasn't had a Miss
Rodeo America, but we have had many top-10 and top-5 finishers.
Who knows, maybe this year's Miss Rodeo Montana will be the next
"Miss Rodeo America"! The Miss Rodeo title brings with it a
$10,000 scholarship, western wardrobe, and the honor of
traveling throughout the nation as the official representative
of professional rodeo, all expenses paid.